Still Believing Amid Complexity

God moves in diverse and subtle ways in the human realm. God’s involvement or purpose in the situations we experience each day is not always clear. The promises of the Word do not always begin to manifest themselves in our favor as soon as a problem or need arises. Often, between the believer’s cry and God’s answer, other things arise that complicate matters and even seem to contradict the principles and promises of the Word.

In addition to all this, the mistaken frameworks and models of faith we sometimes hold leave us feeling confused when we are going through times of testing. As a result, we sometimes fail to understand God’s complex, nuanced movements in our lives.

Often, in our own daily lives, God’s miraculous work manifests itself in very subtle ways and over the long term, making it difficult to discern which spiritual principles apply in these complex dimensions of faith. At times, it is difficult to discern whether it is God, Satan, or mere coincidence intervening in our circumstances.

At other times, the dynamics of faith unfold in ways we do not normally associate with the simple, clear patterns Scripture shows us.

• At times, for example, it will seem that God has not heard our prayers, or that he has remained indifferent to our need. Despite this, we will have to exercise faith, believing that God is sovereign and loves us, and that he always knows what he is doing.

• Sometimes we will pray for something and receive an answer different from what we expected. Even so, this will require an act of faith on our part, as we must believe that God is nevertheless the one at work in that unexpected outcome.

• At other times, we will have to wait a long time before seeing the answer to our prayers. In that case, faith will manifest itself through our patience and perseverance in prayer.

• At times, God will take us through the crucible of pain and suffering, and we will go through circumstances that seem to contradict his faithfulness and power. But this, too, will be part of the dynamics of faith, just not in the easy and obvious way we are accustomed to seeing God move in our lives.

Nevertheless, whether things unfold simply or with a greater degree of complexity, the spiritual principles declared by the Word must always determine how we navigate any difficult situation in our lives. Once we have understood these principles of Scripture, no matter how complex or contradictory what we are experiencing may seem, we must remain firmly anchored to what we have learned from studying the Word. That steadfast adherence to what the Word of God declares will enable us to emerge victorious from any difficult situation we may face.

When life or circumstances seem to contradict what you believe you know about God, rely on what the Word says and declare confidently: “It is written!” No matter how long it takes, God will prove faithful, and his principles will never fail. Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, cling to the trustworthy promises of God’s Word. They will be a light for your life and will always lead you to a place of safety. “We also have the more sure prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”